DataWind welcomes Telecom Commission’s decision to MVNOs in India

NEW DELHI: Aakash tablet maker Datawind CEO Suneet Singh Tuli welcomed the news of the Telecom Commission’s decision to mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in India.

The Telecom Commission, which operates under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has approved a recommendation issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to license MVNOs, according to media report.

The Commission said that the state will create a new licence for virtual operators. The new rules still require the approval of India's telecom minister, but are expected to be implemented "within a few weeks," the source said.

“The media announcement confirmed that the commission has accepted the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s suggestions, contained it’s paper of May 1, 2015.  TRAI’s May/2015 paper is a well researched and comprehensive set of recommendations that create a progressive framework for the introduction of virtual network operators in India,” said Tuli.

“This is a very progressive decision, and will have far-reaching implications for the achievement of the vision for a Digital India,” he said.

“The vast majority of Indians, over a billion, are still not on the internet. More importantly, despite the boom in smartphone penetration, studies show over 62% of customers with 3G enabled devices, are not activating data plans,” Tuli said.

“There is a need to deliver affordable internet access for the common man,” he added.

The company has announced its intention to apply to become a VNO, once the policy is formalized

“DataWind intends to bring the world’s most affordable internet access to India, using it’s patented technology,” he said.

“DataWind firmly believes that this digital and internet divide can be addressed through technology intervention, at an affordable price for this segment of customers. DataWind is focused on driving the cost downward to a level where access to technology becomes ‘universally affordable’ and democratization of technology finds its true meaning.  Company is striving for newer ‘lows’ in price discovery for computing and access products,” a statement said.

“DataWind’s innovations have always been focussed to break the affordability barrier and provide internet access to empower the billions of people globally who are left out of the digital age. Company’s patented technology allows for a fast, rich and affordable experience on existing networks without any new infrastructure,” it said.

“This has been achieved by our breakthrough delivery platform invented by our founder and co-chairman Raja Singh Tuli. Covered by 18 US and international patents, this technology is offered through DataWind’s UbiSurfer browser on its tablets and smartphones, it reduces bandwidth consumption by factors of 10x to 30x to render a fast and rich desktop-like web experience even on traditional GPRS/EDGE 2.5G mobile networks in five to seven seconds. Utilising this technology, DataWind has been successful in providing free internet on the entire range of its low cost internet connectivity devices,” the company said.

“After bringing the most affordable tablet computers to the market, and taking a commanding leadership position in the Indian market, DataWind is the No. 1 supplier of tablets with an overall market share of  24% and dominates the entry-level sub Rs.5,000 market with over 58% market-share according to CMR report for Q4 2015,” Tuli said in statement.

“According to the IDC for Q4 2015, DataWind was responsible for 20.7% of the tablets sold in India, we believe the next important piece of the puzzle is to deliver affordable and ubiquitous internet access for the masses,” he added.